January 28, 2010

State of the Union, Initial Thoughts…

President Obama’s speech seamed more like a camping style speech that was geared towards independents….

It was shocking that the President of the United States would use the SOTU to admonish the Supreme Court, and actually do it in front of 6 members of the high court….

I found it interesting that it took 40 minutes for the President to bring up an unfinished issue that has dominated the past year, that being health care…. 

When the President talked about, doing “work openly” I thought back to the promise that he made on the campaign trail about C-SPAN and health care discussions…

I applaud the President for committing our resolve to stand and complete the job in Afghanistan…

Looking at spending, I don’t see how you are going to cut the deficit substantially while at the same time continuing out of control spending…

The White House soften the ground on the President calling for a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, this change while significant represented only one line in the entire SOTU…

Finally, there is a new star in the Republican Party in Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell; he did an outstanding job in the Republican Response.

Walton’s Wall will take an in-depth look into the State of the Union and the Republican Response in the next few days…

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January 27, 2010

Pre-State of the Union Thoughts

Later this evening President Obama will fulfill one of his constitutionally required duties as president when he updates the Congress and the country on the State of the Union.  Many have billed this speech as the most crucial Obama’s year-old presidency as he tries to regain a foothold on his agenda and quall the ever growing concerns from the American people.

For President Obama to have a successful night he will have to walk a tightrope as to not alienate his left-wing base and the majority of the American people.  To have an effective SOTU, Obama needs to be straight with the American people and tell them that he hears what we are saying, especially in the aftermath of the election of Scott Brown. 

If Obama continues down the he has been on for the last year, then his primetime address will be a spectacular failure.  Also, Obama must come across as if he truly understands what’s going on throughout the Main Streets of America; even if there is a hint of “political empathy” in his speech the American people will see through it and Obama’s approval and policies will continue to decline.

All-in-all I see Obama giving a C- worthy speech later tonight.  Like always his delivery will be grand, but his substance will be subpar.

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I will predict that the Republicans response, given by the new Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, will be outstanding and will provide a fresh set of ideas for the American people to consider.

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January 26, 2010

Obama Spending Plan, A Smoke and Mirrors

The Washington Post is reporting that in his first State of the Union speech on Wednesday, President Obama will announce a three-year freeze on discretionary, “non-security” spending.  The spending freeze would not apply to spending on defense, intelligence, homeland security or foreign aid or on veteran’s benefits.

While I applaud the efforts of President Obama to rein in the out of control spending of Washington DC, it’s nothing more than a dog and pony show.  The spending freeze, to take effect in October, will save at most 15 billion dollars, which is no where close to the estimated deficit of one TRILLION dollars.

To get our country out of this debt and deficit America needs to cut out unnecessary and underperforming programs.  It would be great for the Obama to live up to his campaign promise and go through the budget line by line and get ride of items that no longer deserve a place in the budget. 

With out cutting and eliminating programs Obama’s spending plan is simply smoke and mirrors.

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January 26, 2010

A Note From Matt

This is to tell you the readers of Walton’s Wall that posting over the next two days will be lite.  This is because of educational reasons as I am undergoing written comprehensive exams for my Masters.  Thank you for understanding and continuing to visit Walton’s Wall.

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January 25, 2010

Left-Wingers Turning Looney

In wake of the stunning election of Scott Brown to the US Senate last week it’s interesting to notice the change taking place with the left-wing of American politics.  Some, including this blogger, would say that the left-wing of American politics has lost the ability for intellectual thought.  For examples of this lunacy I point to all places MSNBC and Chris Matthews show Hardball.

Our first example of the Left gone wild comes from former Vermont Governor and DNC Chairman Howard Dean and his explanation of the results of the Massachusetts special election.

One would think that someone who is medical doctor and also served 12 years as a governor would be able to have a feel of what the American people are saying.  But clearly from his interview with Matthews, Dean has shown that he, and the rest of the Left, has no clue what the American people want. 

Our next example of how the Left is losing their intellectual faculties comes from Florida’s 8th District Democratic Congressman Alan Grayson. 

You can see that Chris Matthews, a long-time top aid to former Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill, has to educate the congressman from Florida on the basic rules of congress.  Congressman Grayson is someone who does a good job at representing what the Left of this country is…clueless.

I usually disagree with the coverage on Hardball, but I will give Chris Matthews credit for bringing some truth to the Left wing loons.  It’s apparent that after their traumatic lose last week in the Bay State the Left is dazed and confused on what the American people are telling them.  Also, it’s clear that they might be turning a little loony as their rhetoric is foolish at best.

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January 22, 2010

Obama, The Do Nothing President?

One year ago today President Obama signed an Executive Order stating that by today the terrorist detention center at Guantánamo Bay would be closed.  Now that that deadline has come and soon to past, it is becoming more clear that while President Obama has the appearance of a great leader he in fact in turning into a Do Nothing President.

In spite of having large Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress, Obama has been ineffective in getting much accomplished.  According to the Web site Politifact.com, President Obama made 503 promises during the 2008 presidential campaign.  Of these 503, the Web site has says that Obama has kept or compromised on 124.  The remaining 379 have either been stalled, broken, or “in the works”.

Of the 124 promises that have been kept, few are of major substance.  These include: A stand down of nuclear forces to be reduced under the Moscow Treaty, to launch an international Add Value to Agriculture Initiative (AVTA), restore funding for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne/JAG) program, to release presidential records, and to support increased funding for the NEA.  These promises that Obama has kept are arguable (at best) minimally helping the country. 

Obama has been distracted this past year focusing much of his attention to a health care bill that appears to be now dead in the water, and the remaining attention has been on accomplishing unimportant items.  This is a shame as he has wasted a year when he should have concentrated on the ailing economy.  Yes, he did manage to get a “stimulus” bill passed, but we can see that it has done nothing for Main Street America.

President Obama must do better for the American people in year two of his administration.  After finishing his first year in office President Obama has, like his Executive Order to close Guantánamo Bay, failed the American people.  And it’s clear, through recent polls, that the American people are starting to see Obama as The Do Nothing President.

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January 21, 2010

A Resurgent Republican Party?

Yesterday the national media spent a tremendous amount of time discussing the impact of the election of Scott Brown.  There is no doubt that the results from the Bay State on Tuesday evening significantly altered the political landscape in the country.  Many think the outcome represents a resurgent Republican Party.  While this could be true, it’s imperative that the GOP looks more like an alternative party, than one of opposition.

The Republican Party needs to be visionary.  There has been a lot of talk about health care reform and the charge from the Democrats against the GOP is that they are the Party of No.  The leaders, such as Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Jon Boehner, need to present to the public a list of health care reforms that they support and can guarantee Republican support.

Republicans need to rally behind Chairman Michael Steele and his vision.  He knows what it takes to win elections in areas that are not traditionally red, as he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Maryland.  Steele approach to leading the GOP is much different than what Republicans are use to.  Having a divided party does the Republicans no good, only as a united can they show the American people they’re ready to lead.

Finally, the GOP needs to put forth new ideas to the American people.  Brown’s win has given Republicans a breath of fresh air and renewed optimism, the question is whether or not that can use this new opportunity to capture the trust of the American people.

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